Latest Update: 8-4-2026
Timespan Resources allow you to assign labor or equipment across a range of activities instead of tying them to a single task. This helps keep resource planning aligned with schedule changes and eliminates manual rework.
Timespan Resources are resources that span from the start of one activity or group to the finish of another, with optional positive or negative lag, or between two specific dates.
They are commonly used for resources that are needed continuously across phases of work, such as:
Supervisory labor such as superintendents or project managers
Temporary power or facilities
Long-term equipment such as scaffolding and cranes
Site logistics or shared equipment
Unlike traditional spreadsheet-based tracking, Timespan Resources are directly tied to your schedule. When the schedule changes, the resource automatically updates with it, reducing errors and rework.
When to use Timespan Resources
Timespan Resources are a good fit when:
A resource is not assigned to a single activity
The resource needs to remain active across multiple activities, groups, or a period of time
You want resource demand to automatically adjust when the schedule shifts
If a resource belongs to a specific activity, continue using standard labor or equipment assignments instead.
Watch a brief introductory video here.
Create a Timespan Resource
Navigate to Timespan Resource tab using the left toolbar
Under the Resource List tab, you will add all the Timespan resources you need in the project.
Create a new Timespan item by giving it a name.
Next, you can add Labor and/or Equipment (one or many) as required. Then choose the calendar for this item.
Note: Only name is the required field; you can choose to add the other details later
Add the start date and end date for this item.
Dates can be tied to an element in the project (Activity, Group, Milestone) or a fixed calendar date
If tied to an element in the project, you can add positive lag (delay the start) or negative lag (earlier start) compared to the date of the element
Start date uses the Start Date of the element
End date uses the End Date of the element
Finish Later: If you choose to finish entering details later, you will see a yellow alert sign and a box around the cell to highlight which entries have been deferred for later
View Timespan Resources on Your Project
Navigate to Labor Output or Equipment Output sections in the Timespan Resources page
You will find Resource graphs and a usage table in this section
You can change the display type from Units and Hours and time scale from Week to Month to Year
You can also turn on and off individual resources by clicking on the checkboxes on the left column of the table
View Timespan Resources Across Multiple Projects
Navigate to the Resource Planning dashboard on your home page
2. Select the projects you want to view timespan resources for and toggle the Labor Type to Timespan Labor
Other Help Articles to reference:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Timespan Resource and a standard labor or equipment assignment?
Standard labor and equipment assignments are tied to a single activity. Timespan Resources span across multiple activities, groups, or a fixed date range, and automatically adjust when the schedule shifts. Use them for resources that are needed continuously across a phase of work, not just on one task.
Do Timespan Resources update automatically when my schedule changes?
Yes. When a Timespan Resource is tied to an activity, group, or milestone in your project, its start and end dates update automatically when that element moves. This eliminates the need to manually adjust resource dates after every schedule change.
Can I tie a Timespan Resource to a fixed date instead of a schedule element?
Yes. When setting the start or end date, you can choose a fixed calendar date instead of linking it to an activity or milestone. This is useful for resources with contractually fixed mobilization or demobilization dates regardless of schedule changes.
What does the yellow alert icon mean on a Timespan Resource row?
It means some required details have not been filled in yet. You can save a Timespan Resource with just a name and finish entering the labor, equipment, calendar, and date details later. The yellow icon flags the incomplete entries so you know which ones still need attention.
Can I view Timespan Resources across multiple projects at once?
Yes. Navigate to the Resource Planning dashboard on your home page, select the projects you want to include, and toggle the Labor Type to Timespan Labor. This gives you a combined view of timespan resource demand across your portfolio.
Can I add both labor and equipment to the same Timespan Resource?
Yes. A single Timespan Resource item can include one or more labor types and one or more equipment types at the same time. Only the name is required when creating the item.